What really happens the day after your last day of work? One retiree opens up about the surprises, joys, and real-life challenges of life after 42 years on the job. Rick gives us a deeply honest look at his first year of retirement, not the highlight-reel version, but the real one. From relearning how to structure his days to facing the emotional shift of losing his professional identity, Rick walks us through the highs, lows, and everything in between. You'll hear what surprised him financially, what kept him grounded, and the two questions he believes everyone should answer before they retire.

If you’re a Gen Xer, you might feel like the glue holding it all together, launching kids, checking in on aging parents, grinding at work, and still trying to save for your own retirement. This episode dives into the invisible load so many Gen Xers carry, and what it’s costing them. In this episode of Make It Personal, we unpack the quiet sacrifices Gen Xers make in the name of love, and how those choices are impacting long-term financial health. Drawing on fresh research from LIMRA and the Alliance for Lifetime Income, we explore how caregiving, financial support for adult kids and parents, and rising healthcare costs are reshaping retirement planning for this unique generation.

If you're in retirement, or approaching it, you know about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). The IRS says you have to start withdrawing money from your retirement accounts. But what if you don’t actually need the money right now? What if it feels more like a tax trap than a reward for decades of saving? You're not alone, and you’re not stuck. In this episode of Make It Personal, we tackle the often-confusing world of RMDs with a refreshing mindset shift: what if these “required” withdrawals could actually work for you? Host Mark Zagurski breaks down eight clear, actionable strategies to put your RMD money to smart, purposeful use, whether you're focused on legacy, giving, or simply staying tax-efficient.