The Preserve Money Show

What changes when one spouse may spend decades longer in retirement than the other? Patrick Keenan explores the unique challenges facing couples with an age gap, from Social Security and healthcare to investment strategy and inflation. He discusses planning for a longer retirement horizon, creating income “buckets,” considering long-term care needs, and factoring the surviving spouse into estate and legacy decisions. It’s a look at why retirement planning for two people may require thinking beyond the older spouse’s timeline

What happens when your retirement lasts longer than you ever expected? Patrick Keenan explores the financial challenges that can accompany a long retirement, including sequence-of-returns risk, inflation, taxes, healthcare costs, and the possibility of outliving your savings. He discusses why retirement timing can dramatically affect two investors following similar strategies and how income planning and balancing spending with saving can factor into a broader retirement strategy.

Are scary market headlines putting your retirement decisions on edge? Patrick Keenan discusses why reacting to predictions, volatility, and fear can create challenges for retirees and those approaching retirement. He explores the role of market exposure, cash and insurance products, and explains how his “bucket” approach separates assets based on their purpose and timing. Plus, Patrick shares key questions to consider about spending, investment risk, savings, and building a retirement plan rather than simply accumulating retirement accounts.

More than half of retirees say they left the workforce earlier than planned. Patrick Keenan explores why unexpected retirement happens so often, from health challenges and family caregiving responsibilities to market downturns and life’s sudden curveballs. Using real client stories and personal experiences, Patrick discusses ways to build flexibility into a retirement strategy, manage risk, and prepare for the possibility of retiring sooner than expected.

What if the biggest retirement mistake isn’t spending too much, but spending too little? Patrick Keenan explores why many retirees become so focused on preserving wealth that they miss opportunities to enjoy it. From inflation fears and market uncertainty to longevity concerns and emotional decision-making, Pat explains how a well-structured retirement plan can help create confidence around spending. He shares real-world observations about retirees who save excessively, those who spend too aggressively, and why finding the right balance can make all the difference in retirement.

What happens when a market downturn cuts your retirement savings in half just as you start relying on it for income? Patrick Keenan explains why market volatility feels different in retirement and how emotional reactions can derail long-term plans. Using a simple "Payday bar" analogy, he breaks down the impact of major market losses and discusses strategies for organizing retirement assets into different buckets. The conversation also explores risk tolerance, avoiding knee-jerk investment decisions, and creating a retirement income plan designed to help retirees stay focused on what matters most.