Want to get in touch with Mark? 👉 https://silverman-associates.com/home

In this mailbag episode, Mark responds to listener concerns that highlight the uncertainty many people feel as retirement gets closer. These are the kinds of moments where hesitation, assumptions, or bad timing can have lasting consequences. Before making a move, it’s worth slowing down, because big decisions deserve more than guesswork.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

💸 Social Security & Taxes: Why benefits can be taxable

🧾 401(k) Plan Changes: What happens after a merger or transition

⏳ Timing Social Security: Weighing early vs delayed decisions

😟 Social Security Anxiety: Fears about the system’s future

Want to get in touch with Mark?

Web:

https://silverman-associates.com/home

Email:

mark@silverman-associates.com

Phone:

520.512.8832

520.618.5323

Want to get in touch with Mark? 👉 https://silverman-associates.com/home

Most people focus on saving more but overlook how much power they already have. Mark walks through the major financial assets many people take for granted and explains why ignoring them can quietly limit retirement confidence.

Tune in to make sure your biggest resources are working together for you, not against you.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

🏠 Home Equity: Understanding its role in retirement decisions

💼 Workplace Savings: Why old allocations can become liabilities

🧩 Social Security Value: Treating it like the asset it is

🗂️ Consolidation: Simplifying accounts for clarity and control

📈 Future Potential: Using earning years wisely before retirement

Want to get in touch with Mark?

Web:

https://silverman-associates.com/home

Email:

mark@silverman-associates.com

Phone:

520.512.8832

Want to get in touch with Mark? 👉 https://silverman-associates.com/home

Clutter isn’t just a problem in your garage, it creeps into your finances, too. In this episode, Mark talks through the habits, products, and decisions that weigh down your money without adding real value. Discover how to clean up your finances and invest confidently for the future. If your finances feel messy or inefficient, this is a smart place to start cleaning up.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

🧾 Debt Reality: Knowing what actually adds value

🎢 Risk Awareness: Understanding what you’re really exposed to

💸 Hidden Costs: Fees that quietly erode your progress

💤 Lazy Money: Cash that’s falling behind inflation

🤝 Trust Matters: Avoiding costly mistakes and bad incentives

Want to get in touch with Mark?

Web:

https://silverman-associates.com/home

Email:

mark@silverman-associates.com

Phone:

520.512.8832

Want to get in touch with Mark? 👉 https://silverman-associates.com/home

What does The Wizard of Oz have to teach us about smart financial planning? More than you might think! In this episode, Mark uses the timeless lessons of Dorothy and the Yellow Brick Road to explain why a clear financial plan matters- and why “winging it” rarely works. Just like the journey to the Emerald City, retirement planning requires direction, flexibility, and the ability to adjust when obstacles pop up along the way.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

🟡 Why every retirement plan needs a clear “Yellow Brick Road”

🧩 Financial planning is more than investing

🏡 The emotional vs. financial side of paying off your mortgage

🧠 Improving financial literacy and avoiding bad advice

🧙‍♂️ The importance of getting advice from qualified sources

Want to get in touch with Mark?

Web:

https://silverman-associates.com/home

Email:

mark@silverman-associates.com

Phone:

520.512.8832

Want to get in touch with Mark? 👉 https://silverman-associates.com/home

The doctor is in! Most people worry about small financial details while ignoring the big issues that can quietly derail retirement. In this episode, Mark introduces a series of “financial diseases” that show up when planning gaps go unchecked. You’ll hear how easy it is to miss these problems until they become expensive. The good news: once you can diagnose them, you can actually treat them.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

🧭 Risk Awareness: understanding time horizon and volatility

⚠️ Risk Apathy: ignoring portfolio risk until stress hits

⏳ Longevity Risk: inflation and living longer than expected

🏥 Care Costs: long-term care expenses catching families off guard

💸 Tax Exposure: Uncle Sam taking more than expected

Want to get in touch with Mark?

Web:

https://silverman-associates.com/home

Email:

mark@silverman-associates.com

Phone:

520.512.8832

Want to get in touch with Mark? 👉 https://silverman-associates.com/home

Step into a fairytale-inspired take on financial planning as Mark matches real-life money habits to the colorful personalities of the seven dwarfs. Gain fresh perspective and actionable wisdom for your own financial story, all while having a little fun along the way. Ready to discover which financial dwarf you might be? You might be surprised which one you relate to most.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

🧙 Seven Dwarfs & Money Habits: how timeless personalities show up in financial planning

😐 Managing “Grumpy” Clients: expectations, mindset, and choosing the right fit

🥱 Sleepy Investors: how disengagement affects long-term outcomes

🤒 Health Concerns & Planning: why “Sneezy” needs a different retirement timeline

🧠 Working With “Doc”: why intelligence doesn’t always equal good money decisions

Want to get in touch with Mark?

Web:

https://silverman-associates.com/home

Email:

mark@silverman-associates.com

Phone:

520.512.8832

Want to get in touch with Mark? 👉 https://silverman-associates.com/home

Planning for retirement has a lot in common with playing golf. In this episode, Mark uses the golf course as a metaphor for smart investing and retirement planning. Retirement has its own “hazards.” Unexpected healthcare costs, tax surprises, market downturns to name a few. The danger isn’t just in the risk, but in not seeing it coming. Good planning doesn’t just aim for the green; it identifies the bunkers and creeks in your way.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

⛳ Retirement & Investing: why consistency beats the search for a “hole in one” strategy

💸 Annuity Caution: understanding sales pitches that sound too good to be true

🎯 Right Club, Right Shot: how diversification helps you adapt to changing markets

🧾 Advisor’s Role: how an advisor acts as your financial caddy, guiding your full game plan

Want to get in touch with Mark?

Web:

https://silverman-associates.com/home

Email:

mark@silverman-associates.com

Phone:

520.512.8832

Want to get in touch with Mark? 👉 https://silverman-associates.com/home

Is downsizing right for you in retirement? For many retirees, the decision to downsize isn’t just about saving money; it’s about simplifying life. Mark reveals why moving to a smaller home isn’t always a money-saver, digging into costs like mortgages, HOA fees, and property taxes. He shares his personal perspective and explains how family needs and lifestyle goals play a role. Tune in for practical advice to help you weigh the real pros and cons before making this big move.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

🏡 Downsizing Decisions: understanding when a move makes financial and lifestyle sense

💵 Financial Planning Factors: how selling, buying, or renting affects your retirement budget

🧹 Maintenance & Upkeep: reducing home responsibilities without sacrificing comfort

💬 Emotional Shifts: preparing for the lifestyle changes that come with “less stuff”

🧭 Timing Matters: why market conditions and tax considerations should guide your decision

Want to get in touch with Mark?

Web:

https://silverman-associates.com/home

Email:

mark@silverman-associates.com

Phone:

520.512.8832